State Case Database
Search State Court Report's database of significant state supreme court decisions and pending cases. Download decisions and briefs for cases that develop state constitutional law. This is a selected database and does not include every state supreme court case. See methodology and "How to Use the State Case Database" for more information.
This database is updated monthly, although individual cases may be updated more frequently. Last updated comprehensively with cases decided through March 2025.
Featured Cases
Republican National Committee v. Eternal Vigilance Action, Inc; Georgia v. Eternal Vigilance Action
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled invalid under state nondelegation principles four of seven rules passed by the Georgia State Election board, while upholding one rule. The court did not decide the validity of two other rules, holding that the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the provisions.
Planned Parenthood of Montana v. State (Planned Parenthood 1)
Montana Supreme Court held that a 20-week abortion ban; restrictions on medication abortions, including a telehealth ban and 24-hour waiting period; and requirement that providers give patients an opportunity to view an ultrasound and listen to a fetal heartbeat violate the express right to privacy in the state constitution.
Care and Prevention of Eve
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court held that department of children and families violated the state constitution's free exercise of religion protection when it vaccinated a child temporarily in its custody over the religious objections of her parents. Parents who have temporarily lost custody of their children retain a residual right to direct their religious upbringing, and the state must demonstrate that allowing the child to remain unvaccinated would substantially hinder the department’s compelling interest in the vaccination.
Arkansas Department of Education v. Jackson
Held that emergency clause in legislation complied with constitution's procedural requirements
State ex rel. Candelaria v. Grisham
Ruled that the legislative branch controlled the funds disbursed to the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act because the law left significant discretion to the states
Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission
Ruled redistricting disputes can only be judicially resolved to remedy a cognizable right and partisan gerrymandering claims are not cognizable under the state constitution
Tidwell v. Blaine County
Dismissed land use case for lack of standing, dissent argued that court should not use federal standing doctrine when state constitution has distinct language
In re: Legislator Interest in State Contracts
Governor seeks an advisory opinion clarifying the breadth of the constitutional prohibition on state legislators having an interest in a state contract
Byrd v. State
Held that a section of a law criminalizing homelessness in a bill about county financial statements violated single-subject requirements
Graham v. Adams
Rejected partisan gerrymandering claims as to congressional and state house districts
Board of Trustees of N. Dakota Public Employees Retirement System v. N. Dakota Legislative Assembly
Held that omnibus appropriations bill, which included law related to appointments to the public employee retirement systems' board, violated single subject rule
Weeks v. Department of Human Service of the Commonwealth
Upheld act ending cash assistance welfare program, finding that legislature’s process satisfied the state’s “original purpose” and “single subject” requirements
Gonzales v. Inslee
Upheld governor’s pandemic-era moratorium on rent-based evictions as not violating contracts, takings, court access, or separation of powers provisions
